Understanding nucleic acid sensing and its therapeutic applications.
Ling-Zu KongSeok-Min KimChunli WangSoo Yun LeeSe-Chan OhSunyoung LeeSeona JoTae-Don KimPublished in: Experimental & molecular medicine (2023)
Nucleic acid sensing is involved in viral infections, immune response-related diseases, and therapeutics. Based on the composition of nucleic acids, nucleic acid sensors are defined as DNA or RNA sensors. Pathogen-associated nucleic acids are recognized by membrane-bound and intracellular receptors, known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which induce innate immune-mediated antiviral responses. PRR activation is tightly regulated to eliminate infections and prevent abnormal or excessive immune responses. Nucleic acid sensing is an essential mechanism in tumor immunotherapy and gene therapies that target cancer and infectious diseases through genetically engineered immune cells or therapeutic nucleic acids. Nucleic acid sensing supports immune cells in priming desirable immune responses during tumor treatment. Recent studies have shown that nucleic acid sensing affects the efficiency of gene therapy by inhibiting translation. Suppression of innate immunity induced by nucleic acid sensing through small-molecule inhibitors, virus-derived proteins, and chemical modifications offers a potential therapeutic strategy. Herein, we review the mechanisms and regulation of nucleic acid sensing, specifically covering recent advances. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss recent research progress regarding the different effects of nucleic acid sensing on therapeutic efficacy. This study provides insights for the application of nucleic acid sensing in therapy.
Keyphrases
- nucleic acid
- immune response
- small molecule
- gene therapy
- dendritic cells
- infectious diseases
- squamous cell carcinoma
- toll like receptor
- sars cov
- stem cells
- young adults
- physical activity
- papillary thyroid
- inflammatory response
- drug induced
- low cost
- combination therapy
- circulating tumor
- childhood cancer
- genome wide analysis